Annotated checklist of Dermaptera and Zoraptera (Insecta) of Singapore, with redescriptions of several species

The earwig (Dermaptera) fauna of Singapore, previously almost entirely undocumented, is analyzed through examination of approximately 500 specimens. A critical reassessment of the limited published records is also provided. In total, 29 species identified to the species level are reported, including one Diplatyidae, two Pygidicranidae, one Apachyidae, seven Anisolabididae, two Labiduridae, nine Spongiphoridae, four Chelisochidae, and three Forficulidae.

Of these, 17 species are newly recorded for Singapore: Echinosoma roseiventre Kamimura & Nishikawa, 2016, Parapsalis infernalis (Burr, 1913), Epilandex peterseni Ramamurthi, 1967, Platylabia major Dohrn, 1867, Gonolabis minor Borelli, 1926, Metisolabis punctata (Dubrony, 1879), Nala lividipes (Dufour, 1829), Spirolabia pilicornis (Motschulsky, 1863), Paralabellula curvicauda (Motschulsky, 1863), Paraspania emarginata (Srivastava, 1978), Chaetospania javana Borelli, 1926, Spongovostox semiflavus (Bormans, 1894), Marava arachidis (Yersin, 1860), Proreus simulans (Stål, 1860), Hamaxas feae (Bormans, 1894), Hypurgus humeralis (Kirby, 1891), and Timomenus bicuspis (Stål, 1860).

Additional morphological notes are provided for selected taxa. A new synonymy is proposed, synonymizing Gonolabis emarginata Srivastava, 1990 with G. sumatrana de Bormans, 1900, resulting in Nannopygia ridleyi (Kirby, 1903), comb. nov. as the only dermapteran species currently considered endemic to Singapore. Additionally, Spiralizoros caudelli (Karny, 1927) is reported as the first national record of Zoraptera (angel insects).

These findings are discussed in the context of Singapore’s urbanization and the biogeographic affinities of its insect fauna with those of neighboring regions.